Atlanta United fell 1-0 to New England Revolution on Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite taking a season-high 18 shots, Atlanta couldn’t force a goal by a strong performance from New England goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.
Atlanta started well and nearly took the lead in the 17th minute. Miguel Almirón and Latte Lath played a 1-2-1 in midfield as the Paraguayan raced past a defender before sending Latte Lath into the box down the right side. The striker ripped a scorching shot on frame, but Ivacic made a quick reaction save to keep the match scoreless.
Brad Guzan was called into action in the 21st minute when Revolution midfielder Carles Gil tested his goal with a shot from distance, but Atlanta’s captain safely tipped it over the bar. Four minutes later, Latte Lath again narrowly broke the deadlock when Brooks Lennon delivered a cross from the right side where the Ivorian headed the ball off the crossbar. Almirón followed the play and stung the gloves of Ivacic, but he did well to push it away from danger.
Atlanta appeared to take the lead in the 28th minute when Almirón sent a curling shot into the top-left corner, but it was called off after video review.
New England took the lead in the 36th minute through a penalty by Gil. Latte Lath fouled Gil just inside the box, and the Revolution captain buried the spot kick to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Almirón and Latte Lath had close-range attempts blocked, which resulted in a corner. Off the set piece, New England managed to race the other way as substitute Leo Campana was in on goal against Guzan, but Mateusz Klich tracked him down and poked the ball away. This allowed Guzan to collect the ball before he could get off a shot.
“If you watched the match today, you know we should have won that match,” said Atlanta United head coach Ronny Deila post-game. “Now, we just need to put the ball in the net. That is the main thing that we need, especially in this match.”
Atlanta United (2-3-3, 9 points) returns to action Saturday, April 19, when it travels to face Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATL UTD